Who We Are

Karen Handley – Co-opted Governor & Joint Chair of Governors

Current term of office: 08/02/2023-07-02-2027

I have enjoyed being a governor at Clarendon Primary School since April 2014.  I was initially a parent governor, and now a Co-opted Governor & Joint Chair of Governors.  Two of my children have successfully attended and completed their primary education at Clarendon and my third son has not long started his school journey here too. They have been very lucky to benefit from the excellent education and pastoral care provided as well as the culture of working in partnership with parents and carers. 

Over the years I have enjoyed taking an active role, whenever possible, in the life of the school by helping on school trips, listening to the children read and supporting them during class activities. I have also previously enjoyed being an energetic part of the school’s PA group, helping to organise fundraising events that raise ‘extra’ money for the school to spend on enriching our children’s schooling experiences further. 

As a professional I have had many years’ experience working with children and their families, encouraging them to have an active say in decisions that affect them and their lives.  I believe that as a parent it is important to express our views regarding our children’s education and I strongly believe in the importance of having a parent’s perspective within the school’s governing body.   

I work in education, currently as part of the inclusion and safeguarding team of a large local secondary school, and acknowledge that the safety and wellbeing of the children at Clarendon is paramount in their education. 

I am fully committed to supporting Clarendon as it continues to develop, focusing on continuing to raise standards and encouraging children to achieve the best they can. I enjoy bringing my skills, professional and personal, to this challenging, but rewarding role. 

Matt Edwards – LA Governor & Joint Chair of Governors

Current term of office: 18/01/2024 – 17/01/2027

I joined the governing body at Clarendon Primary School in 2016. Since joining I have enjoyed taking an active role; contributing too many areas of the school, with finance being my main focus. It has been a real pleasure watching the school continue to develop and grow.

I currently have 1 girl at the school, one in year 4 . My eldest daughter and son have now left Clarendon after completing 7 happy and enjoyable years here.

In my professional life I am a Business Development Director of a small business; where working to build relationships is key to keeping the business successful. I feel my skills and motivation will help Clarendon continue the development and successes it strives to achieve for all its pupils.

Having now taken on the role of Co-Chair, I am very much looking forward to working in partnership with the school’s leadership team, the staff and the parents alike – to make the school the best it can possibly be for current and future generations.

Sian Overton – Parent Governor & Vice Chair

Current term of office: 27/09/2021 – 26/09/2024

I joined the Governing Body in September 2021 and currently have 2 children that attend the school. By becoming a parent governor, I hope to be able to use my experience in Human Resources management, coaching and leadership development to contribute to the future direction and continued success of the school for all those who pass through it. I see this as a great opportunity to give back to the school and our community and look forward to applying my existing skills as well as learning new ones along the way. 

William Neale – Ex Officio Governor and Headteacher

Current term of office: Whilst employed at the school

I have been a teacher now for over 20 years and am passionate about ensuring all children are provided with the best possible opportunities in order to be successful and achieve the very best they can. As a teacher and parent myself, I know how important and precious these formative years are and believe it is important to work in partnership to ensure every child not only enjoys them, but makes the most of every possible opportunity.

During my teaching career I have been lucky enough to have undertaken a range of exciting roles in a variety of primary schools and believe that, whilst sometimes challenging, teaching is one of the most rewarding jobs there is.

During my time at Clarendon, I have enjoyed working as part of the school’s governing body. Whilst providing challenge and support for the work we do, the governors always ensure that the children’s best interests are at the centre of their work and decisions made support the best possible outcomes for all. Whilst it can be a challenge to meet the ever changing demands of a fast moving world and frequently changing educational climate, the governors’ unrelenting focus on this core value ensures the school is always striving to provide the very best we can for all.

Simon Cripps – Parent Governor

Current term of office: 27/09/2021 – 26/09/2025

I joined the Governing Body in September 2021 and currently have a child that attends the school. Since my daughter joined the school I have become a member of the PTA, helping at events, working as part of a project team and regularly attending meetings. In my work life I am a business communications professional, driving collaboration, listening and learning in global organisations all of which I believe are also essential in an educational setting. In my role as a parent governor I want children at Clarendon to succeed for years to come. 

Clare Parrish– Staff Governor

Current term of office: 13/01/2023 – 12-01-2027

Before joining Clarendon in 2016, after completing my final year teaching placement, I taught at a Roman Catholic School in Chertsey for 16 years. During my time at this school, I taught children in all year groups and took on the role of Sports Coach; teaching PE to all children across the school. I also ran a very successful School Council.

Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed my time at my first school, after having 2 children myself, I decided to look for a new and exciting challenge in education. As a result, I applied for the role of Deputy Lead in Clarendon’s new Nursery provision. Both my children attended Clarendon at the time; my son was in Year 3 and my daughter in Year 1.

I started at the Nursery in April 2016, when it opened with 15 children. Nearly 7 years later, I am now the Nursey teacher with 50 children on role. I get a great deal of satisfaction from my job and am constantly seeking new ways to improve the quality of our provision.   

I am very grateful to have the opportunity to act as staff governor, help the school to further develop and continue to ‘be the best it can’. I have lots of ideas to share and am enthusiastic about the challenges and opportunities ahead.  

Jason Lane – Co-opted Governor

Current term of office: 20/06/2023 – 19/06/2027

I am extremely pleased to be part of The Governing Body at Clarendon Primary School. Although new to the role, I am keen to work alongside fellow Governors and staff to ensure that Clarendon delivers its key objectives of giving the children of Clarendon the best possible start in their early educational lives.

With over 18 years of senior NHS leadership across a variety of service portfolios, I bring a wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm and commitment. Over the last few years, I have worked in partnership with local schools on a mentorship programme, aimed at helping children formulate positive goals, solve and work through problems as well as build their self-belief, motivation and resilience.

In my spare time I run a well-established local charity support group which has now been running for over 10 years.

Giving something back to the community is a personal ambition of mine as well as helping people in general, whether as a patient, youth or someone who just needs some support.

James Piper – Co-opted Governor

Current term of office: 30/01/2024 – 29/01/2028

In my professional career I have gained half a decade of accounting experience, primarily in the external audit of asset managers. I am eager to apply my professional skills in my role as a school governor at Clarendon Primary School. My dedication to our community is rooted in a deep-seated belief in giving back; highlighted by my volunteering efforts during the completion of my Duke of Edinburgh Award at Clarendon Primary School. As a lifelong local resident, my connection to the community is personal and unwavering and something I wish to continue through my contribution as a school governor.

Philip John – Co-opted Governor

Current term of office: 12/03/2024 – 11/03/2028

I am thrilled to become a member of the Clarendon governing body, bringing with me a wealth of educational experience that spans across mainstream and specialist settings; from early years to Key Stage 4. As the Assistant HeadTeacher of a secondary specialist school in Twickenham, I have honed valuable skills that I am eager to apply in this role.

My passion lies in advocating for pupils with additional needs, ensuring they have a voice that is not only heard but truly listened to. Holding the SENCO qualification and having dedicated my Master's dissertation to incorporating pupil voice in the EHCP process, I am deeply committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every student can thrive. I am eager to contribute to the Clarendon community and collaborate with staff and governors to uphold the highest standards of education and support for all students.

Louise Piper – Associate Governor

Current term of office: 01/09/2023 – 01/09/2024

I return to Clarendon with a slightly different perspective to most other members of the governing body. Having previously been employed by Clarendon, and held a number of different roles within the Clarendon community, I feel that I am well placed to add a new view point valuable to the governing body. 

In recent years I have been fortunate to have worked in, and observed a number of different schools within different counties and feel that this experience gives me a wide base of experience to draw upon.

I have a particular interest in Special Educational Needs (SEN) and enjoy observing and working with children to support them in reaching their potential, and in ensuring that staff provide the right opportunities to help them fulfil this.  

Additionally, I am also a leader at a local unit for Girlguiding, and enjoy planning and supporting young people's alternative learning in a non-educational environment; opportunities I feel are so valuable in developing the whole child.

Vacancy – Co-opted Governor

Previous governors standing in the last year:

Stephanie Russell – Co-opted Governor

Current term of office:  23/11/2020 – 10-11-2024 (Stephanie left her role during the summer term of 2023)

I joined The Governing Body as a co-opted Governor in November 2020. This is my first governorship post and I am honoured to have been chosen to join this dedicated group. I am a relatively new step-mum to two boys who are currently in primary school, and an aunt to two further boys, one who is in 6th form and the other at university.

I have worked for many years in the private sector for global organisations gaining extensive HR experience which I hope to be able to use to help the school in areas such as performance management, wellbeing, pay reviews and data analytics. I am excited to be able to support the school in meeting (and exceeding) its objectives and to ensure that all pupils have the opportunity be the best they can be.